Art of arc welding, heating, and metal-working.



L. COFHN.

ART OF ARC WELDlNG, HEATINGQAND METAL WORKING,

. APPLICATIDN FIL'ED APR. 5. I916.

1,243,589. Patented Oct. 16,1917.

omen STATES PATENT orrroE.

CHARLES Ia. COIIIN, OI PARKS, GEORGIA, ASSIGNOR TO ELECTRIC METAL WORKING COMPANY, OF DETROIT, MICHIGAN, A CORPORATION OF MICHIGAN.

ART OF ABC WELDING, HEATING, AND METAL-WORKING.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Oct. 16, 1917.

Application filed April 5, 1916. Serial No. 89,129.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that 1, CHARLES L. Corrm, a citizen of the United States, residing at Parks, in the county of White and State of Georgia, have invented new and useful Improvements in the Art of Arc Welding, Heating, and Metal-Working, of which the following is a specification.

My present invention relates to the art of welding, heating, or otherwise treating metal by the use of the electric arc, and the primary object of the invention is to provide an improvement in this art whereby the heat of the arc is utilized to heat the material under treatment, but such material is not in circuit with the are as an electrode and suchmaterial is not subject to contact with the arc.

According to the present invention, two electrodes for the are are provided which electrodes are extraneous to the material to be treated, and the arc is maintained between thesev extraneous electrodes, one of the electrodes being interposed between the arc and the material under treatr ent. Furthermore, in order to afiord a greater distribution of the heat from the arc upon the material under treatment, it is preferable to cause the arc to rotate or travel about the interposed electrade.

To these and other ends, the invention consists in certain improvements, and combinations and arrangements of parts, all as will be hereinafter more fully described, the novel features being pointed out particularly in the claims at the end of the specification.

In the accompanying drawing Figure 1 is a side elevation, partly in section, of one form of apparatus adapted to be used in carrying the invention into practice.

Fig. 2 represents a section on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1.

Similar parts are designated by the same reference characters in the several views.

The present invention is applicable generally to all operations wherein it is desirable or necessary to utilize the heat of the electric are for the purpose of welding or heating metal or other material. Moreover, the invention is applicable generally to apparatus of various kinds, and while in the present instance a portable or hand tool is shown as one embodiment of an apparatus capable of use in carrying the invention into practice, it is to be understood that the invention is not restricted to this particular construction or to this particular type of apparatus, as the invention may also be used advantageously in connection with stationary electric welding or heating 3 extending downwardly and forwardly therefrom and attached by an insulating connection with a core 4, preferably ofmagnetic material. The collar 2 also has a forked bracket 5 extending upwardly therefrom, and this bracket has a pivot 6 on which is supported a lever 7. This lever has a portion extending .rearwardly and downwardly from its pivot to a point beneath the handle 1, at which point it is provided with a finge'r grip 8 which may be manipulated by one of the fingers of the hand, while the latter grips the handle, to rock the lever about its pivot. The opposite end of the lever 7 is forked to straddle a collar 9, the latter having diagrammaticallyarranged pins 10 arranged to operate in slots 11 formed in the forks of the lever, whereby rocking of the lever about its pivot will cause axial movement of the collar 9. One of the electrodes in the form of a carbon rod 12 is connected at its upper end to the collar 9. This electrode is adjustable axially in the collar, for which purpose a clamp or equivalent device 13 may be provided for holding the electrode 12 in the collar at difi'e'rent points along the length of the electrode. This electrode passes through a sleeve 14, the electrode being movable longitudinally in this sleeve, and a coiled compression spring encircles the electrode 12 and bears at its ends on the collar 9 and the sleeve 14, respectively. The action of this spring is normally to raise the collar 9 and i in consequence to raise the electrode 12. The

7 core 4 is shown in the present instance as separate this sleeve and core. The sleeve 14 serves to conduct electric current from a suitable source to the electrode 12. Preferably, a conductor 16 extends longitudinally through the insulated handle and is attached at 17 to the sleeve 14. The core 4 serves as a medium through which the electric current is conducted to the other electrode, which is to be hereinafter -described.

For this purpose, it is preferable to extend another conductor 18 through the insulated handle and to connect itat 19 to the core 4. The lower portion of the core 4 is hollow and it is attached at its lower end to a sleeve 20, a lining or body of refractory material 21 being contained Within the hollow por tion of the core 4 and the sleeve 20, this refractory material having a central bore to accommodate the lower end of the electrode 12, and the lower portion of this bore in the refractory material is preferably flared, as at 22. The electrode 23, which cooperates with the electrode '12 is, in the present instance, of annular form, and it is placed in alinement with the electrode 12. Preferably, the axis of the annular electrode 23 is coaxial with the electrode 12. The electrode 23 may be constructed in different ways. As shown, it comprises an annular or ringlike central portion 24 and a suitable number of outwardly and upwardly extending supporting arms 25, these arms resting on an inturned flan e 26 at the lower edge ofv the sleeve 20. uitable means is provided for supporting or positioning the device in proper relation to the metal or material to be treated, and this supporting or positioning means is preferably adjustable in order to enable the operator to set the electrodes at different distances from the metal or material to be treated as circumstances may require. As shown, a set of four brackets 27 are provided, these brackets being relatively adjustable vertically with respect to the sleeve 20 by the screws 28 which operate in vertical slots 29 in the brackets, and each bracket has a boss 30 which rotatably receives the vertical spindle 31 of a bearing fork 32, each bearing fork containing a roller or wheel 33 which is of insulating material or which serves to insulate the device from the metal or material to be treated. In operation, the arc passes between the annular rim of the electrode 23 and the electrode 12, and the present invention provides means for imparting a traversing movement of the are relatively to the electrode 23, that is to say, the arc is caused to travel around the annular rim of the electrode 23, thereby distributing the heat of the are over a relatively larger area of the metal or material under treatment. This traversing movement of the arc is accomplished by providing a magnetic field in which the arc operates. As shown, the magnetic'field is formed by the core 4 and a coil 34 which surrounds the core, this coil 34 in the present instance being formed by convoluting the conductor 18 about the core 4 at a point between the handle and the point of connection of this conductor with the core. With this arrangement, the current passing through the conductor 18 on its way to the electrode 23 will energize the coil and magnetize the core 4, the magnetic field thus produced so influencing the are as to cause it to travel or revolve about the annular rim of the electrode 23. Any suitable source of electric current supply may be provided. As shown, G designates diagrammatically an electric generator, one terminal of which is connected by the wire 9 to the conductor 16, and the other terminal of which is connected by the wire '9 to the conductor 18. Suitable means is provided for controlling and regulating the arc. As shown, an arc-regulating resistance or rheostat R and a controlling 9 rheostat R are provided, these resistances or rheostats being connected in series by the wire 9.

The lever 7 serves to effect relative movement between the electrodes in a direction 95 toward and from one another for the purpose of establishing the are between these electrodes and setting these electrodes at the appropriate distance apart for the maintenance of the are. For example, it will be 100 observed that when the finger piece 8 of the lever 7 is drawn by the finger toward the handle 1, the electrode 12 will be moved downwardly or toward the electrode 23, this action taking place in opposition to the spring 15, and an opposite movement of the finger piece 8 which is effected by the spring 15 will cause a relative separation of the electrodes. If desired, a device may be provided for limiting the separation of the elec- 11 trodes, thereby enabling the operator to set the electrodes at any desired distance apart, according to conditions or requirements. Such a device is shown in the present instance, it comprising an adjusting screw 35 11 which isthreaded in a boss36 on the lever 7 and cooperates at its end with a boss 37 on the bracket 5, the boss 37 serving as an abutment or stop to cooperate with the screw which is carried by the lever 7. Obviously, by rotating the screw 35 in the appropriate direction, any desired adjustment may be made for the limit of separation of the electrodes.

In carrying the invention into practice with the aid of a tool such as that shown, the operation may be briefly described as follows':The conductors 16 and 18 of the tool are connected to the generator and the resistances R and R, and the full amount of amass these resistances is incircuit upon starting the operation. The operator by grasping the handle may then draw the finger piece 8 upwardly by one of the fingers, there-by moving the electrode 12 down until it contacts with the electrode 23. The contact between these electrodes completes the electric circuit but an excessive flow of current is'avoided by reason of the fact that the full resistance of the rheostats is in the circuit at this time. The operator may then allow the finger piece 8 to recede slowly from the handle, thereby an arc of the proper or desired volume is obtained. The controlling resistance B may remain in the circuit and may be adjusted to suit the requirements of the work. When the apparatus is in operation, the current passes from the generator G through the starting and controlling resistances R and R respectively, through conductor 18, coil 34: and contact 19 to the core 4, and from the latter through the sleeve 20, the electrode supporting arms 25, and thence to the electrode 23. The current then passes through the arc to the electrode 12, thence to the sleeve 14, and by.way of the conductor 16 and the wire 9 it returns to the other termi nal of the generator. Passage of the current through the magnet coil 34 energizes the same and magnetizes the core 4:, and the lines of force so produced cause the arc to revolve about or around the annular electrode 23, thereby distributing the heating etfect of the are upon the material designated X. While the magnet coil is shown in the present instance as connected in series with the circuit containing the electrodes, it is to be understood that this coil may be connected in shunt with the circuit containing the electrodes, or the magnet-coil may receive currentfrom a separate source, and furthermore, any suitable means may be provided, such as a 'variable resistance, for varying the intensity of the magnetic field. The distance of the are from the material X may be varied by adjusting the brackets 27 relatively to the sleeve 20, and the range of movement of the electrode 12 may be varied by adjusting this electrode in the collar 9.

During the operation of the apparatus, the heat of the arc is transmitted directly to the material under treatment through the central opening in the electrode 23 and through the spaces between the supporting arms 25. Heat from the arc is also radiated by the refractory medium 21 onto the material under treatment through said opening and spaces. The refractory material will become heated, and as it incloses, more orless, the are, it will serve to stabilize the arc.

electrode 23 corresponds in form to the crosssection of the arcing end of the electrode 12.

I claimas my invention: 1. Method of electric arc welding, heating and'metal working, consisting in maintaining an electric are between two elec-- trodes in proximity to the material, preventing direct contact of the arc with the material by interposing one of said electrodes between the arc and the material, said interposed electrode adapted to form a path for the arc, distributing the heating eflect of the are by moving thearc in relation to the interposed electrode and mate- 'rial, and stabilizing the moving are by protecting from air currents while subjected to the directive and stcadying action of a magnetic field.

2. In the art of arc welding and heating, distributing the heating action of the arc, and stabilizing the are, by maintaining an are between two electrodes in proximity to the material to be heated, inter-posing one of said electrodes between the arc and material, providing means protecting the are from air currents, rotating the are about the interposed electrode, and stabilizing the moving are, by subjecting to the directive and steadying action of a uniform magnetic field.

3. In an apparatus for electric arc welding and heating, the combination of a support, a magnet carried thereon, an energizing coil for said magnet, two electrodes for the arc, one of said electrodes passing axially through the magnet, the magnet core having an outwardly expanded, outwardly extending tubular extension carrying a tubular casing thereon, said tubular casing supporting at its lower end the second electrode in such manner that the said second electrode is in opposition-to the first electrode and interposed between the arc and material, with means for bringing the electrodes into contact and separating the same.

4. In an apparatus for electric arc welding and heating, the combination of a support, a magnet carried thereon, two electrodes for the are, one of said electrodes passing axially through said magnet, supporting means for the second, electrode adapted to position the latter in opposition to the first electrode and interposed between the arc and the material, a refractory body surrounding the arcing end of the first electrode and in juxtaposition to the second electrode, with means for varying the distance of the interposed electrode from the material to be heated.

5. In an apparatus for electric arc weld- Preferably and as shown, the opening in the a ing and heating, the combination of a support, a magnet carried thereon, two electrodes for the are, one of said electrodes passing axially through said magnet, supporting means for the second electrode to position it in opposition-to the first elec-: trode and interposed between the are and the material to be heated, means for bringing the electrodes into contact and separating the same, means for varying the distance of the second electrode from the material to be heated, with means for supporting the apparatus while moving it around or resting upon the material to be heated.

(3. In an apparatus for electric arc welding and heating, the combination of a support, a tubular magnet carried thereon, two electrodes for the are, one of said electrodes passing through said tubular magnet, axially, the other electrode supported in opposition to the first electrode in such manner as to be interposed between the arc and the material to be heated, means for bringing the electrodes into contact and separating the same, means for revolving said are about the interposed electrode in a uniform magnetic field of force, with a refractory material surrounding the arcing end of the first electrode and in juxtaposition to the second electrode adapted to inclose the revolving arc and stabilize the same.

7. In an apparatus for electric arc welding and heating, the combination of a support, an annular electro-magnet on said support, two electrodes for the are, one of said electrodes passing through said annular electro-magnet axially, the magnetic core of said electro-magnet extending ,toward and eircumferentially surrounding the arcing end of said electrode and adapted when energized to have a directive and steadying action upon the are, the other electrode having an annular orifice and supported in opposition to the first electrode and in a position interposed between the are and the material, means for bringing the electrodes in contact and separating the same, means for maintaining an are between the electrodes, means for regulating the arc, and means for energizing said electro-magnet and coincidently causing the arc to revolve about said interposed electrode, with a refractory body surrounding the arcing end of the first electrode and in juxtaposition to the interposed electrode adapted to inclose the revolving are, protecting the are from air currents and stabilizing the same.

8. In an apparatus for electric arc welding and heating, the combination of a support, an annular electro-magnet on said support, two electrodes for the are, one of said electrodes passing through said annular eleetro-magnet axially, the magnetic core of said electro-magnet extending toward and cireumferentially surrounding the arcing end of said electrode and adapted when energized to have a directive and stead ing action upon the arc the other electrode aving an annular orifice and supported in opposition to the first electrode and in a position interposed between the are and the material, the said interposed electrode provided with an elevated annular portion extending above the supporting members adapted to provide a path for the are, the supporting members so positioned as not to interfere with the direct radiation of the arc to the material to be heated, means for bringing the electrodes into contact and Separating the same, means for maintaining an are between the electrodes, means for regulating the, are, and means for energizing the said electro-magnet and eoineidently causing the rotation of the are about the interposed electrode with a refractory body surrounding the arcing end of the first electrode and in juxtaposition to the interposed electrode, adapted to inclose the revolving arc, protecting the same from air currents, and stabilizing the moving are.

9. In an apparatus for electric arc welding and heating, the combination of a support, an annular eleetro-magnet on said support, two electrodes for the are, one of said electrodes passing through said annular electro-magnet axially, the magnetic core of sald electro-magnet extending toward and circumferentially surrounding the arcing end of the said electrode and adapted when energized to have a directive and stead ing action upon the arc, the other electrode aving an annular orifice and supported in opposition to the first electrode and in a position interposed between the are and the material, the said interposed electrode provided with an elevated annular portion extending above the supporting members adapted to provide a path for the are, the supporting members so positioned as not to interfere with the direct radiation of the are to the material to be heated, means for bringing the electrodes into contact and separating the same, means for maintaining an are between the electrodes, means for r regulating the are, and means for energizing the said electro-magnet and'coincidently causing the rotation of the are about said interposed electrode, a refractory body surrounding the arcing end of the first electrode and in juxtaposition to the interposed electrode, adapted to inclose the revolving arc, protecting the same from air currents, and stabilizing the moving are, with means for varying the distance of the interposed electrode from the material.

10. In a hand tool for electric arc welding, heating and metal working, the combination of a support, two electrodes carried thereon and adapted to form an are between the said electrodes,

manually for varying the distance apart of and means for supporting the tool while moving it around or resting'upon the material to be heated.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand in presence of two subscribing witnesses.

CHARLES L. COFFIN.

Witnesses:

THOS. F. UNDERwooD, B. R. BARRETT. 

